If you've got Abacus, then you've got Al's address! If you haven't, ask someone who has.

Like Karl Fulves, no website, no email, no phone - but, if you want it - search it out! Not everything has to be EASY-to-get to be worthwhile getting. The quality of magic does NOT rely on one's desire (not ability) to have/get internet connection.

That's why so MANY miss out on so MUCH! Too much reliance on internet....

I don't know how Al sells his stuff, but I think he does well and seems happy as things are. I think word-of-mouth works well, but I do think that if you only rely on "ease-of-purchase" as your rationale for buying, then you could possibly be losing out on some good stuff.

And, look: I recently got a snail-mail letter from a well-known magician 'announcing' a new book of Marlo/Avis/Haxton letters about esoteric sleights/tricks etc. The only way to purchase is to send a cheque by post. Now, I know that if I don't comply - I don't get to enjoy the material. So, easy decision! (My cheque will go as and when.)

So, as you say - you don't HAVE to indulge "these people" at all. Your choice! If your purchases have to be (as you say) "a click away" then I think you might be missing out on some goodies.

The reason Al Smith doesn't ram his products down people's throats is that HE PROBABLY CAN'T BE BOTHERED with 'magicians'(?) that want everything 'at the click of a button'

Ken Brooke sold commercial magic to Pro's. If he was alive and in business today, I doubt very much whether HE would have a website either.

Maybe most magicians enjoy the risk of buying from websites without seeing the item demmed, or gaining an accurate description of it's commercial effectiveness. Perhaps this would therefore explain why there appears to be a never ending supply of unused/unwanted of props, books, videos and DVD's for sale on ebaY and MagicWeek?

Let him be a Luddite if he wants to, but at least Fulves has a damn snail mail address that is accessible to anyone, and ditto for Harry Lorayne (and in his case you get the phone number and e-mail address).

Saying that Al Smith has stuff to sell, but not posting his address, is just plain idiotic. And if it wasn't for Kevin Fox, the address still wouldn't have been posted.

With Ken as a salesman I can see him with a website, though I think in his case it would have been with some reluctance. However it's something we shall never know.

Regardless I have very happy memories of Ken, especially the lecture he gave in Dublin, which still ranks as the best lecture I've ever attended.

At the recent South Shields convention Bob Swadling told me that around the time he (Bob) got married, Ken invited himself and Valerie to be his guests in London as he took them around, demonstrating all the gags and stunts he did. Many of the gags described by Bob had been in Ken's lecture. However there was one nerve wracking and memorable moment for Bob when Ken took them into Patisserie Valerie (a delightful tea room serving a great selection of teas and pastries)in Compton Street.

While all three were happily sipping tea, Ken suddenly reached across the table, grabbed Bob by the lapels, yanked him up and screamed, "You bastard, you made my wife pregnant!"

Re: "While all three were happily sipping tea, Ken suddenly reached across the table, grabbed Bob by the lapels, yanked him up and screamed, "You bastard, you made my wife pregnant!"

When I heard the story from Bob years back, I remember it that the place was full and they had not been seated, Ken did that and several people left quickly and they got a table. No doubt the story will be in the new book of stories about Ken now available frome Steve Cook.

As for LaBal, I've had it since issue one, always on time. I doubt he has many international subcribers, since postage has to be by air now it makes it expensive.

Al's mag fits right in with those who are fed up of all the hype and b.s. back patting. Strangely, some people have not moved with the times and still do it for the love of it rather than the fantasy of dollar signs before their eyes...:)

We all live in our own little worlds, and sometimes it can be a better one :)

Hallas wrote:Re: "While all three were happily sipping tea, Ken suddenly reached across the table, grabbed Bob by the lapels, yanked him up and screamed, "You bastard, you made my wife pregnant!"

When I heard the story from Bob years back, I remember it that the place was full and they had not been seated, Ken did that and several people left quickly and they got a table. No doubt the story will be in the new book of stories about Ken now available frome Steve Cook.

Paul.

You are correct Paul. I don't recall why I erred in telling the story. The place was full and they were queueing for a table when Ken pulled the gag, and within a few minutes many had left and they got a table.